Western Resources Corp., Vancouver, recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Western Potash Corp. is expected to complete construction of the Milestone Potash Phase 1 Project in Saskatchewan in May 2023, with commissioning coming thereafter. First production is expected by the end of the year. In addition, the company has received approval from the Ministry of Environment to extend the mine life of the project from 12 years to 40 years.
The project is designed as a selective solution mine, which, in contrast with traditional potash mining and solution mining, is expected not to produce salt tailings on surface, thereby substantially reducing the environmental impact. The construction of the project was kicked off in June 2019 with an anticipated production of 146,000 mt/y and mine life as 12 years. As the project progressed, Western applied for an extension of the mine life to 40 years, as resource reviews supported this change.
Ministerial Approval was given after the Ministry of Environment reviewed the change proposals from Western and concluded that they will not result in any significant, additional environmental impacts and was satisfied that the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act have been met. The Ministerial Change Approval took effect on Feb. 17, 2023.
“The Ministerial Approval supports the project’s long-term goal of being a sustainable supplier of potash,” said Western CEO and President Bill Xue. “I have no doubt that the approval will bring to our shareholders and investors more confidence in the potentials of this innovative project. I am excited that the construction of the Phase 1 project will be completed in May this year, followed by commissioning. I have confidence that our team will be able to achieve first production by the end of this year.”